Chapter One: Perplexity

  As they continued on their journey, Liu'er's laughter echoed again. Gao Huaiyuan walked briskly alongside the donkey cart, his heart once again stirred up with emotions. He discovered that he suddenly had a new goal in life, because there was someone in this world who needed him to protect them with his own life!

  When they arrived at the mountain villa, Gao Huaiyuan reached out and took one of Liu'er's small hands in his, gently grasping it. He felt that Liu'er's palm had a layer of calluses and wasn't as soft as he had imagined. His heart slightly ached. Other girls of her age were still being pampered at home by their families, but Liu'er had to work hard every day for herself. Such kindness, how could he repay it?

  Liu'er felt a flush for the first time when Gao Huaiyuan held her small hand, but she didn't pull it back because she couldn't bear to part with the warmth and strength of his large hand. She let him support her hand as she got down from the donkey cart, and only reluctantly withdrew her own hand from his, standing behind Gao Huaiyuan.

  Not yet through the door, Huang Yan was already shouting in a loud voice: "All of you listen and remember, your future master is called Gao Huaiyuan, he gave you life, everything you eat and wear is prepared for you by him. As long as you do what I ask of you, you will never go hungry or cold again, you will no longer be chased and bitten by the dogs of rich families, bullied by others! You will be treated like humans again!

  Now, all of you, listen up and remember this well! Whatever Young Master Gao says is right, no one is allowed to refute or raise any objections. Whatever he tells you to do, you must accomplish it! Here, you must always remember that absolute obedience is required, and any disobedience will not be tolerated! I'll tell you what to say and what not to say, and you must show respect to me, as well as to Captain Zhou and your team leaders! Our orders are the master's orders! Those who fail to comply will receive corresponding punishment. Those who refuse to change their ways after repeated warnings will be expelled from the household!

  If you think my demands are unbearable, stand up now, take off your uniforms and get out of here! Go back to the streets, live a life where everyone looks down on you, live a life where everyone can bully you, live a life where you don't know when your next meal is coming from, live a life where you might starve or freeze to death at any moment! I won't stop you!

  "But if you walk out of this door today, then don't think about coming back. Sorry to say, even if you hang yourself from the tree at the entrance, I won't give you a glance! Did you all remember my words?"

  A faint murmur of response came from inside the courtyard.

  "Are you going to answer?! Don't tell me you don't even have the energy to speak?! I can't hear what you're saying!" It was Huang Yan's roar again.

  "Yes!" This time the voice was a bit louder and more uniform.

  "I still can't hear! Do you remember what I said?" A hoarse shout came from the courtyard, Huang Yan's voice was almost exhausted.

  "Yes!" This time's answer finally satisfied even Gao Haiyuan, and the new young man inside finally burst out a loud roar.

  Gao Huaiyuan couldn't help but almost burst out laughing, Huang Yan had indeed learned his previous set of tricks perfectly, bringing this guy over was really the right choice, it's saved him a lot of trouble!

  Gao Huaiyuan lifted his leg and carried Liu Er, who was secretly smiling, into the courtyard with a slight shake of his head.

  "Attention, everyone! I'm telling you now, the person in front of you will be your future master! Remember everything I just said!" Huang Yan turned his head and saw Gao Huaiyuan approaching, so he immediately shouted loudly.

  Zhou Hao and Zhou Jun, the first batch of young men standing on one side of the courtyard, as soon as they saw Gao Huaiyuan appear at the gate, immediately stood up straight, their heels clicking together, and shouted in unison: "Greetings, Young Master!"

  Their uniform movements made the thirty or so young men standing in the middle of the courtyard stunned for a moment, and they quickly followed suit with a salute, although their movements were somewhat chaotic and their formation was a bit disorganized. However, they all fixed their eyes on Gao Huaiyuan.

  Gao Huaiyuan's expression turned serious, his eyes gleaming as he scanned the more than thirty new young men. He nodded slightly to himself, these young men were clearly handpicked by Xue Yan, their physiques were mostly well-proportioned and tall, even surpassing some of the first batch of young men in height. From their facial features, most of them looked like honest and loyal young men, but due to their previous circumstances, they all had a pale complexion, looking severely malnourished. However, Gao Huaiyuan was already very satisfied with them, Xue Yan had been following him for some time now and was getting more and more in tune with his thoughts!

  "Alright! Take a break! I am Gao Huaiyuan, and from now on, I will be your master. I overheard what Huang Team Leader said earlier outside the door! Since he has already said it, I won't say anything more! Because what he said is exactly what I wanted to say! You all must remember this clearly!"

  I stress only one point, what is required here is absolute obedience and unconditional execution! As long as you meet my requirements, I will naturally not treat you unfairly! I will let you eat well and dress warmly, and even let you learn to read and write! And even after you grow up, I will help you find a career! But the premise is that you must do what I say! No dissent is allowed!

  You can take a look at them! They are ten people who arrived here before you, from today on, each of them will bring three of you together to eat, drink and sleep, if you want to stay, then learn well with them!

  "Zhou Jun, you take roll call. Every three people who are present will immediately fall out and be taken away by your squad leader! Let's begin!"

  Zhou Jun'ang walked up to Gao Huaiyuan with his chest out, first giving him a salute, then making a standard about-face movement, pulling out a list from his bosom and reading it aloud.

  He would point to three people, then point to one person from the first batch to step out, take the three people aside until only three were left. After calling the roll, he said: "You three follow me! In a while everyone will have to recite our rules by heart, otherwise you won't need to think about eating dinner tonight!" Only then did this roll call come to an end.

  Here, Zhou Yi is the youngest in age, but he also became the group leader, proudly leading three young boys, starting to teach them to recite the rules of this place in the courtyard, and from time to time scolding them, looking very comical, but here, no one would laugh at him.

  The courtyard immediately became lively, with the sound of young people reciting loudly everywhere. Liu'er followed Gao Huaiyuan to curiously watch this scene, feeling both novel and interesting. Meanwhile, Gao Huaiyuan called over Huang Yan and Zhou Huan, and they began patrolling inside the courtyard.

  The rooms here have already been arranged for the young people's beds, with quilts neatly stacked, giving a sense of a military camp. In the courtyard, the youngsters' clothes are hung out to dry in an orderly manner, everything seems to be in order. To achieve this, Gao Huaiyuan knows that Huang Yan and Zhou Hao have made considerable efforts, even they themselves must strictly discipline themselves, otherwise it would be difficult to lead the team.

  Then he checked the large house used as a classroom, where there was a wooden blackboard with yesterday's words written by Professor Zhou Jun, and the chalk was replaced with white chalk. Underneath, more than a dozen sandboxes filled with fine sand were neatly arranged, serving as paper for practicing calligraphy.

  The empty land behind the courtyard was tidied up very neatly, with some self-made stone dumbbells and other objects placed there for these young people to exercise their strength at ordinary times. Against the wall were a row of uniform bamboo poles, all used as long guns for the youngsters to practice with. Everything was arranged according to military requirements and layout.

  "It seems that this place is a bit small, after the New Year I will expand it. You two have some free time to flatten the land around the yard, and then you two can be busy!" Gao Huaiyuan said to them.

  These two people didn't frown at all and immediately replied: "Yes!" They looked quite like military officers, making Gao Huaiyuan nod repeatedly.

  "This is nothing! It wasn't until I got here that I realized how interesting this job actually is. Luckily, I followed the boss over here back then, or else who knows what I'd be doing in Shaoxing now!" Huang Yan looked around and saw no one was paying attention, so he started smiling mischievously again.

  "Spare me the hypocrisy! I'm asking you, have you all abandoned what Master taught us?" Gao Huaiyuan gave him a white eye and immediately turned to ask them.

  "No! Absolutely not! I've been practicing diligently!" Huang Yan hastily replied. Although Gao Huaiyuan doesn't live here now, but every time he comes over, he has to test their skills again. Today, as soon as Gao Huaiyuan asked about this matter, Huang Yan immediately became tense again, and Zhou Huan also became alert, involuntarily taking a step back.

  "Look out!" Gao Huaiyuan also didn't know where he pulled out a stick over four feet long, using the stick as a knife to slash at their heads and faces, charging towards the two of them. Immediately, the backyard erupted with Huang Yan's wailing and howling cries.

  "Ah! Old Hua, you're cheating! You actually launched a sneak attack on us today! Zhou Huan, hurry up and find some backup! How can you just chase me around and hit me... Ahh!" Huang Yan dodged and weaved to avoid Gao Huaiyuan's attacks while loudly protesting.

  Soon Zhou Hao also found two sticks of different lengths from the side, threw one long stick to Huang Yan, and fought together with Gao Huaiyuan.